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    • Archive for July, 2009

    Bobby’s Blog: Thank You For Your Support!

    Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

    I want to mention everyone who supported my ride and Caritas with their generous donations. Thanks so much to the following people and businesses:
     
    Action Pest Control
    Deborah Adams
    Barry Joel Aidman
    Michelle Akers
    Myra & Barry Allison
    Robert Allman
    Arrow Exterminators
    Beth & Jeff Atherton
    Gilbert & Lorraine Azevedo
    B&G Chemicals & Equipment Co., Inc.
    Randall Baldwin & Nancy Spring
    Jolanta Banaczyk
    Ron & Sandy Barclay
    Dinah & Barry Barksdale
    Barley & Pfeiffer Architects
    Katie Barnes
    Sylvia Barrios
    Ann Bauer
    Bayer Environmental Science
    Lois & Lester Bayer
    Better Business Bureau
    Jane Bills
    Larry Bloomquist
    Ilene Blumberg
    Abigail Bobo
    Barbara Boehm
    Laura Bohls
    John Bolanos
    Bart Bombay
    Jeff & Ann Bomer
    Steve & Marilyn Bowers
    Todd & Karen Brockwell
    David & Beth Brooks
    Marisol V.R. Brown
    Patricia & Gray Bryant
    Philip Buch
    Bob Buchanan
    Rusty Burnett
    Matt Burns
    Bury Partners
    Suzanna & John Caballero
    Chris Calvert
    Becky & Donald Calvin
    Lucio Calzado
    Madalina & Jason Campagna
    Dixie & Spencer Carlton
    Walter & Barbara Casey
    James M. Cavender III
    Cindy Chandik
    Cintas
    Clutch Creative Inc.
    Thomas N. Cockburn
    Sandra Holub Conlan
    Lynn Cook
    Heather Courson
    Shannon Cox
    Harry Crawford
    Mac & William Cromwell
    Tom Cummins
    Sandra Cunningham
    Vard Curtis
    Sally Daguer
    Daughters of Charity
    Gerald Daughtery
    April Y. Davenport
    Jason Davenport
    Vanessa Davila
    Robert Davis
    Jerrol Davis
    Adriana de la Fuente
    Chris Perez de la Vega
    Karen Dean
    Lisa Dean
    Lisa DeLosso
    Kathy Hatfield & Bart Denum
    George & Sally Daveney, Jr.
    Ronald Devere
    Philip & Christine Dial
    Lorel Donaghey
    Elizabeth Doughtie
    Susan Draughn
    Amy & David Durham
    Michelle Dunnivant
    Alain & Nadine Duvallet
    E-Design-It
    Karen Easterling
    Will Eckert
    Ehrlich Termite & Pest Control
    Robert M. Ehrlich, Jr.
    Daniel & De Ann Eisenhauer
    El Arroyo Restaurants
    Douglas Elenz
    Ellis & Salazar
    Nancy Ellis
    Craig & Kay Enoch
    J. Scott & Tonya Esler
    Suzanne L. Espe
    Barrett Evans
    Ferguson Heating & Cooling
    Suzy & Chuck Fields
    Jeffrey Fields
    Debra Fincher
    Laurens Fish III
    Patrick Flynn
    Ron Ford
    Dr. Nancy Thorne Foster
    Kelvin Foster
    Susan Foster
    David Fountain
    Lynn & Bill Fowler
    Ernie Francis
    Victor & Julie Fredlund
    Daniel Freed
    Suzy Freeny
    Frost Insurance Agency
    Fulbright & Jaworski
    Irma Galarza
    Cid Galindo
    Richard E. Galloway
    Charlie Galvin
    Brian F. Gaston
    Bill & Dusty Gaston
    Vera Gerbert
    Zachary Gibson
    Adriana Gonzalez
    Steve Good
    Steven Goode
    Michelle Goodwin
    Linda & Mark Gorzycki
    Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody
    Johanna Green
    Tanya Greenough
    Ward & Carla Greenwood
    Griffin Pest Solutions
    Steven Gullickson
    Karen & Daniel Gustafson
    Jeffrey & Laurie Hahn
    Kerry & Steve Hall
    Winifred T. Hall
    Tammy Halstead
    Don & Jane Hammond
    Michelle Hancock
    Richard Hansen
    Janet Harman
    Susan E. Hart
    Susan Hartenstein
    Brad & Angela Hawley
    Fred & Elizabeth Heldenfels
    Heritage Title Company
    David & Erin Hewlett
    Kim Hill
    Dave Hime
    Carol Holmgreen
    Jarrod Horton
    Steve & Marian Houser
    Glen & Rebecca Hunt
    Michael Hutzler
    Don Jamison
    Brandon & June Janes III
    The Jarrott Family
    Dennis Jenkins
    Jessica Jenkins
    N. Rex Jennings
    Cathy Johnson
    Dione L. Johnson
    Karen Johnson
    Caroline Jones
    Mary Jones
    Journeyman Construction
    Thomas Jumper
    Michael Katz
    Bob Kay
    Dan & Peggy Keelin
    Tracy & Eliza May Kelly
    Laura Kelly
    Michael & Sha Klatt
    Aimee Klich
    Mary Kordek
    Gilbert & Pamela Koss
    William & Karen Kraham
    Alex Kramer
    Matt & Rita Kreisle
    Ellen B. Kreitler
    LAZ Parking
    Ralph & Patricia Ladd
    Billy & Martha Langford
    Judith Latimer
    Robert Lederer
    Klee Lee
    Arless Lenz
    Richard & Kendall Levy
    Wayne E. Lindsley
    Jeanne & Lew Little
    Lone Star FoodService
    Robert & Janie Long
    Nivea Lopez
    Loyal Termite & Pest Control
    Gay & Lori MacNeil
    Marathon Data Systems
    Chris Marchbanks
    Mr. & Mrs. Ray Marshall
    Janis K. Martin
    Bill & Jane Martinez
    R. Earl Maxwell
    Linda Mayfield
    Michael & Nancy McAllister
    Mike McCauley
    Lois McChristian
    Randall McEachern
    Tom & Kay McHorse
    Gerald & Maureen McReynolds
    Angela-Jo Medina
    Peg Meek
    Richard & Madeline C. Sutherland-Meier
    Velda Melendez
    Myrtle & Tony Melli
    Julie & Dean Metzger
    Tory & Karen Meyer, M.D.
    Alyson Miles
    Lionell Ann Miller, Sr.
    Ricky & Donna Minks
    Jack & Dolores Minor
    Joann E. Moerbe
    Ghassan Mohialdeen
    Rob & Rhoda Montgomery
    Myron Moodie
    Kathleen & Dan Moreland
    Merriman Morton
    McQueary Henry Bowles Troy, LLP
    Dean Murray
    Patrick Mushenye
    Ken Myers
    Jack & Janna Nash
    National Pest Management Association
    Janet L. Neal
    Kennedy C. Neff
    Network for Good
    Mike & Melissa Nicholson
    David Nolen
    Cynthia Noly
    OPC Pest Control
    Tommy & Rita Oliphant
    PCT Magazine
    Curtis Page
    Caroline Page
    Grace Palma
    Mr. & Mrs. William H.D. Pardue
    Molly Patton
    Mr. & Mrs. Padusseau
    Justin M. & Paige E. Britt Pehoski
    Jason Perez
    Joseph Pestana
    Tessa Peters
    G. Alfred Peterson, Jr.
    Ann Pieratt
    Mike & Ruth Podolin
    Leslie F. Pohl
    Pointserve
    James Price
    Peter Price
    Jo Kathryn Quinn
    RSH Consulting
    Herminia Ramirez
    Hilary & Jaime Ramirez, M.D.
    Mat & Eliseo Ramos
    Scott Raper
    Rare-Prints.com
    Janis Reed
    Richard G. Reeves
    Nick Reeneker
    Jayne & Larry Richardson
    Janice & Michael Riepen
    Ray Robbins
    Steve & Marilyn Rogers
    Bob Rosenberg
    Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions
    B.M. Russell
    Tonio Sala
    Ginny Sanders
    Tom Sands
    Scotty & Julie Sayers
    Tim Scallon
    Jennifer Scariano
    Justin Schmidt
    Robert & Jill Scrima
    Seawright & Associates
    Sarah Seifert
     Seton Family of Hospitals
    Cynthia Shaw
    Monica & David Sheldon
    Amy Shields
    Loretta Shindler
    Maureen Shiver
    Carole & Charles Sikes
    Jeff & Melissa Simpler
    Molly Sipe
    Neal Skinner
    Hector Sloss
    Lanette & Wallace Smith
    Ryan & Stepanie Sorrell
    Berry & Laura Spears
    Cisse Spragins
    Sprague Pest
    Derek Springer
    Robert Stewart
    Suzanne Stewart
    Dominique Stumpf
    Gail & Rodney Susholtz|
    Syngenta Home Care Professional Products & Garden
    Brett & Erika Tabke
    Thomas & Colleen Terkel
    Termindoor
    Andy & Judy Tewell
    Texas Capital Bank
    Texas Fleet Fuel
    Texas Univar
    Alfie Than
    Carol Thomas
    Thomas Graphics/Check
    Ray L. Thompson
    Ed & Katrina Thompson
    David Thompson
    Anthony Tilford
    Lee Tilford Agency
    Ray Tonjes Builder, Inc.
    Carol & Joe Toohey
    Zoe Torres
    Jeffrey Tucker
    Velocity Credit Union
    Virtual CFO
    Andrew Vissman
    Kirsten Voinis
    John & Candice Volz
    Fred & Beth Vorhees
    Nancy Wade
    Alix Warner
    Ann Whiting
    Charles & Jacquelyn Whiting
    Tim & Diane Williams
    Linda & Mark Williams
    Greg Willis
    Adelita Winchester
    Howard & Margaret Wolf
    Paul Workman
    Leroy J. Wormley, Jr.
    Musarrat Yusufali
    Becca Zwerling

    Come out and Party With A Purpose tomorrow at Pluckers on S. Lamar with ABC, Caritas, & KGSR. There will be live music, food, and drinks to enjoy. Thanks again everyone for your support!

    Posted in Tales From the Road | No Comments »

    Dennis’ Final Blog: Home Again, Naturally

    Wednesday, July 1st, 2009
    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

    Well, I got home Saturday night to my family waiting for me in baggage claim.  What a feeling to be back in the arms of my wife and children.  This was a wonderful adventure for a worthy cause, one that I will continue to support for many years to come, but I do not want to be away from my family for that long again.  My hat is off to all of the military folks of the world - the sacrifice you make, and the one that your family makes when you are gone from home for long periods of time is one that you do not get enough respect for.  Thank you for providing the rest of us with the safety that we take for granted.  We went to dinner and drank margaritas!

    On Sunday, we slept in a bit, and then went to our church for the 11:00 service.  Doug Campbell and his family were there and it was really great to see them.  We hugged and talked and shared.  What an inspiration he is to me.  We saw many of our church buddies (shame on those of you who skipped!) and the feeling of affirmation that I got from being amongst all of those people was great!  Oh, it felt good to be home.  Afterwards, we ate and then went home and floated in the pool and chilled out (or rather warmed up after all of the cold days on the ride).  Todd and Selva Griffith came over for dinner and we killed two fabulous bottles of wine that they had been saving for a special occasion.  They said that this was just the occasion - I wanted to protest, but then again, being back with our most cherished and oldest friends was indeed a great occasion!

    Sunday night, as I got ready for bed I looked in the mirror and thought about shaving off the beard that I have grown.  Protests came from Jennifer and both kids, so I agreed to at least let the office and all of our friends see it.  I was able to reconnect with the Cooper family.  Not only is Terry our Vice-President and part owner of ABC DFW, he and his family are also some of our most cherished friends.  It was funny to see his reaction to the beard, since when I interviewed him over 15 years ago, the first time I did not hire him and chastised him for having a beard when coming in for an interview.  They had a sign welcoming me home, of course it said “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” with the “Roscoe” scratched out and “Dennis” added in above it in what looked like marker with a note on the bottom that said “sorry - we forgot your name!”.  They also had a picture of me that I took myself that was at the “Liquor between the Peaks Saloon” with a beer in hand.

    Things quickly settled back into a normal pattern.  I have kept the beard for this week because the youth at our church are away and I want to get the shock reaction from them too.  Jennifer and I work with the youth at church and we are close to them.

    At this point my feelings are somewhat mixed.  First and foremost, I am so happy to be home.  Being back in the arms of my wife and kids is a feeling that nothing in this world can give.  I also have a longing feeling for the ride.  I miss the regimen of the bike riding and the closeness with my brothers and mother.  Finally, there is a surreal feeling like “did we really just do that?”  I find that I look at the blogs on a daily basis to really cement the memories in my mind.  I plan to have all of the blog entries and pictures printed and bound into a book that we keep.  I may even share it with my brothers - for a price.

    I again want to thank all of you that have been following our adventure.  The words that you expressed and just knowing that you were following us and keeping us in your thoughts and prayers gave us the strength and fortitude to go on when it was not easy to go on.  Also, I want to thank those of you who made donations to our charities, it is through that fund raising that we hope to make this ride not only an adventure, but something that has a lasting impact on others.

    I want to thank my brothers and my mother.  You mean more to me today than ever before.  This memory will be one we cherish more and more as the years go by.  We will remember the good times and the difficult memories will fade fast.  (Bobby - I still will not go with you again when you turn 60)

    To update my medical condition, the blood is gone from my urine after two episodes at the very end of the ride.  I have had blood work and urinalysis and a renal sonogram that have all showed that I am fine.  Apparently, when pushing your body to extreme limits, sometimes that “just happens” and I hope that is the case.

    As a side note, when I agreed to go on this journey in April of 2008, I weighed 272 lbs and was wearing pants with a waist measurement of 40″ that were getting tight.  Today I weigh 219 lbs and this morning, I put on pants with a 36″ waist that is still comfortable to wear.  I have not worn 36″ pants since I was in my 20’s.  In addition, I just feel really good.  My intention is to continue riding.  I love riding and have buddies that helped me train (thanks Doug, Jeff, and Tim) and I look forward to riding with them as soon as my bike is back from Calgary.  I have vowed to never again weigh more than I do now (and hopefully a little less!)

    Grace and Peace
    Dennis

    Posted in Mom's View | No Comments »